Lighting fixture



Sept. 15, 1936. s. WEBSTER LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed July 27, 1935 INVENTOR LESLIE 5. 1 1/55: TEE

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures and is more particularly directed toward indirect lighting fixtures.

A common form of indirect lighting fixture employs a pendant lamp with a silvered lower hemisphere and a shade or screen about the lamp, this shade or screen having an aperture through which the lamp extends, the reflecting medium on the bottom of the lamp bulb cutting off all downwardly directed light and reflecting it upwardly. These silvered lamps have a somewhat shorter life than ordinary incandescent lamps and are far more expensive.

The fixtures are designed so that the lamps may be removed downwardly through the aperture in the shade or plate which surrounds them.

The present invention contemplates fixtures wherein the same type of light distribution is available with ordinary lamp bulbs.

7 According to the present invention, the fixtures are designed so that the lamp bulb projects through the opening in the shade or reflector and sumcient clearance is present to permit the insertion of a reflecting cup which conforms to the lower hemisphere of the lamp bulb and therefore reflects the light upwardly. To conceal the joint between the parts, the reflecting cup is provided with an outwardly extending flange.

The accompanying drawing shows, for purposes of illustrating the present invention, an embodiment in which it may take form, it being understood that the drawing is illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through a lighting fixture; and

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a reflecting cup.

An ordinary pendant lamp bulb is indicated at l and a typical form of diffusing glass plate at H. This plate forms a shade about the lamp bulb screening ofi the upper part of the lamp bulb from direct observation. The plate II has an aperture I2 slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the lamp bulb.

A hemispherical reflecting cup I3 is of the proper size to fit the lower end of the lamp bulb. It has a reinforcing bead I4 at the upper end and this bead carries three springs l5 of comparatively short vertical dimension which extend up above the equator of the lamp bulb and grip the bulb so as to hold the cup in place. An annular sheet metal ring I 6 is secured to the reflecting cup 13 and extends outwardly so as to cover the joint between the cup and the inner edge of the ring.

The reflecting cup and flange can be readily grasped from underneath the fixture and removed from the lamp bulb. The shortness of the springs facilitates their passage through the space available. The lamp bulb can be unscrewed from the socket and replaced by another ordinary lamp bulb and then the reflecting cup returned to its position. This reflecting cup is preferably made of polished aluminum and has a very high reflection factor.

Where fixtures have already been designed for the lamp bulb with silvered lower hemisphere, the fixtures are usually provided with a finishing ring to close up the opening in the glass plate. This ring may be removed, and the added clearance provides sufiicient space for the insertion of the reflecting cup and springs. It is thus possible to convert the former type of. fixture to a type of fixture having the same lighting characteristic and employing ordinary incandescent lamps which can be purchased, instead of special lamps provided with the silver. In this way the maintenance cost of the fixtures is materially reduced.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than that herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What is claimed is:

A lighting fixture having a pendant lamp bulb, a horizontal plate extending outwardly from slightly below the center of the bulb and having an aperture slightly larger than the bulb, a, removable hemispherical reflecting cup fitting the bulb andextending through the space between the bulb and plate, the cup having a beaded upper edge, bulb gripping springs of small vertical dimension carried by the bead, an annular member secured to the cup and disposed below the plate for concealing the inner edge of the plate, and means for supporting the plate independently of the cup.

LESLIE S. WEBSTER. 

